Egypt crisis: Hosni Mubarak defies his people and the West

President Hosni Mubarak said on Thursday night he would not step down
immediately for fear Egypt would sink into chaos as protesters prepared to
mass in Cairo on Friday for a final push to force him out.

“I am fed up,” he told America’s ABC news channel. “After 62 years in public service I have had enough. I want to go .. if I resign today there will be chaos.”

In a separate broadcast on state television, vice-president Omar Suleiman dramatically set the stage for what is likely to be a decisive confrontation after Friday prayers today. He rejected calls from his Western allies that the transition of power “start now” – a clear hint that they believe President Mubarak should quit immediately.

“The call for leaving is a call for chaos,” Mr Suleiman said. The interventions by the regime’s two leading figures, both former generals, came after the government made several concessions. It promised an inquiry into who organised the attack on protesters in Tahrir Square in the capital on Wednesday. It also ordered that former ministers, including the interior minister Habib al-Adly, have their assets frozen.

But Mr Suleiman went no further. His comments came after President Barack Obama increased the pressure on Mr Mubarak.

Mr Obama was clearly frustrated by the violence from forces loyal to Mr Mubarak on Wednesday. He told the prayer breakfast, an annual event in Washington: “We pray that the violence in Egypt will end and that the rights and aspirations of the Egyptian people will be realised, and that a better day will dawn over Egypt and throughout the world.”

In Egypt, prime minister Ahmed Shafiq acknowledged that the attack on protesters “seemed to have been organised”. He promised an investigation into who was behind it.

It remained unclear last night what role the army, the police and other institutions would play in retaining order during the protests expected today.

Running fights continued throughout the city yesterday, after eight people were killed, with at least five shot dead, allegedly by pro-Mubarak thugs during the night.

Foreigners and journalists came under specific attack. One foreigner was reported to have been beaten to death near the square, while dozens of journalists have been detained.